Although tourist ships resumed operations on the Cox’s Bazar–St Martin’s Island route from the first week of December with government approval, the journey has now become highly risky due to serious safety shortcomings.
An average of 2,000 tourists travel per day between Cox’s Bazar and the country’s only coral island, but concerns have been raised over inadequate safety measures.
A joint inspection team has identified eight major safety flaws in six tourist ships operating on the route.
According to the team, none of the ships granted operational clearance meets full safety requirements, exposing passengers to risks such as fire accidents throughout the ongoing tourist season.
The joint team reported that all approved ships were found to have at least one violation or safety lapse, with some ships showing multiple critical deficiencies.
The issue gained urgency following a fire incident that took place on 27 December on the MV The Atlantic Cruise while en route to St Martin’s Island, which claimed one life. Later, the authorities revoked operating permits of MV The Atlantic Cruise and MV LCT Kajol and five other ships initially approved for the season.
Subsequently, a joint operation led by the Bangladesh Coast Guard was conducted in the early hours of 30 December at the BIWTA jetty in Nuniachhara on the Bakkhali river in Cox’s Bazar.
The operation uncovered multiple safety violations, prompting the Coast Guard to submit a report to the Department of Shipping and other relevant authorities.
According to the report, six ships — MV Bar Aulia, MV Karnaphuli, MV Carey Sindbad, MV Bay Cruiser, MV Carey Cruise and Dine, and MV The Atlantic Cruise — pose serious safety risks.
The investigation found that some ships operated without a Minimum Safe Manning Document and with fewer masters and drivers than required.
Fire and safety plans were not properly implemented, with life-saving appliances and fire-fighting equipment missing or insufficient. Discrepancies were observed between the masters’ names on survey certificates and the individuals actually in charge of the ships.
Several ships lacked proper engine overhauling documents, functional fire pumps, and adequate hose pipes. Engine rooms did not have fixed carbon dioxide systems, and fire control panels, alarms, and detection systems were often inoperative.
Masters and drivers were also found to lack basic fire-fighting training certificates.
Based on the Coast Guard’s findings, the Department of Shipping issued a circular on Sunday (4 January), signed by Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, director general of the Chief Engineer and Ship Surveyor Wing.
The notice set a deadline of 15 January for correcting all identified deficiencies, warning that failure to comply will result in the cancellation of operating permits.
Md Abdul Wakil, officer of the proposed Cox’s Bazar River Port, said he has not yet officially received the circular but is informally aware of it. Necessary action will be taken following instructions from higher authorities once the notice is formally received, he added.
Meanwhile, tickets sold in advance for the cancelled MV LCT Kajol and MV The Atlantic Cruise have been transferred to the currently operating MV Teknaf. Port authorities have issued written instructions to ensure the smooth transfer of the passengers.
Hosainul Islam Bahadur, secretary general of the Sea Cruise Association of Bangladesh, said ship owners have received the Department of Shipping’s directive and are undertaking the required repairs and safety upgrades within the stipulated timeframe.
